A recent poll has revealed that more than half of respondents from Poland’s major cities support reducing or ending a popular government child benefit program.
Originally introduced in 2016 by the right-wing United Right government as a 500 zlotys (€115) monthly payment, the program aimed to boost birth rates by supporting families with children. Critics argue, however, that it serves more as a social welfare measure than as a pro-demographic tool.
Despite a record projected budget deficit estimated at over €66 billion for 2025, the current ruling coalition has pledged not only to maintain the program, but also to expand it. The 500+ program was valorized on January 1, 2024, and rebranded as “800+” and now amounts to roughly €184 per child.
Ten months after the program’s extension, a survey by SW Research for the Rzeczpospolita newspaper shows that over 53% of respondents from Poland’s largest cities believe that 800+ should be either limited or discontinued.
The SW Research poll asked respondents whether they believed the 800+ benefit should be eliminated or reduced. Results showed that 16.1% supported discontinuing the program, while 37.6% favored reducing the number of beneficiaries. Meanwhile, 25% wanted to keep the program as it is, and 15.6% wished for it to continue with regular increases. Only 5.7% of respondents had no opinion.
Despite a record projected budget deficit estimated at over €66 billion for 2025, the current ruling coalition has pledged not only to maintain the program, but also to expand it. The 500+ program was valorized on January 1, 2024, and rebranded as “800+” and now amounts to roughly €184 per child.
Ten months after the program’s extension, a survey by SW Research for the Rzeczpospolita newspaper shows that over 53% of respondents from Poland’s largest cities believe that 800+ should be either limited or discontinued.
The SW Research poll asked respondents whether they believed the 800+ benefit should be eliminated or reduced. Results showed that 16.1% supported discontinuing the program, while 37.6% favored reducing the number of beneficiaries. Meanwhile, 25% wanted to keep the program as it is, and 15.6% wished for it to continue with regular increases. Only 5.7% of respondents had no opinion.
According to SW Research senior project manager Małgorzata Bodzon, “Women (40%) were more likely than men (35%) to support reducing the number of recipients. Support for limitations was especially high among respondents under 24 and those over 65, both at 42%.”
Bodzon added that reductions were also favored by those with higher education (42%) and those earning less than €690 per month (44%).
A latest government report on the program stated: “The 800+ program has had a very limited impact on birth rates, likely contributing to a slight increase in births only in the first years after its introduction.”
Despite high costs, Poland’s birth rate fell to 1.17 in 2023, even lower than the 1.29 rate before the program. Experts say that a rate of 2.1 is necessary to maintain population levels, while Poland’s birth rate remains among the lowest in the EU.
Projections indicate that it will cost the national budget over €13.8 billion in 2025, adding to Poland’s financial strains alongside planned defense spending expected to reach 5% of GDP, Rzeczpospolita’s rp.pl website reports.
Bodzon added that reductions were also favored by those with higher education (42%) and those earning less than €690 per month (44%).
Doubtful profitability
A latest government report on the program stated: “The 800+ program has had a very limited impact on birth rates, likely contributing to a slight increase in births only in the first years after its introduction.”
Despite high costs, Poland’s birth rate fell to 1.17 in 2023, even lower than the 1.29 rate before the program. Experts say that a rate of 2.1 is necessary to maintain population levels, while Poland’s birth rate remains among the lowest in the EU.
Projections indicate that it will cost the national budget over €13.8 billion in 2025, adding to Poland’s financial strains alongside planned defense spending expected to reach 5% of GDP, Rzeczpospolita’s rp.pl website reports.
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